With 'Plants and Health for All' as the theme, the World Health Organization held the first symposium of a series in Kobe, Japan from 26 to 28 August 1991. This symposium followed the International Consultation on the Conservation of Medicinal Plants held in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 1987. More than 160 scholars and researchers from 11 nations participated in the symposium.

This book records the symposium which resulted in the 'Kobe Conference Statement'. The section of this statement entitled 'Natural Resources and Human Health - Plants of Medicinal and Nutritional Value' emphasizes:

The importance of natural resources for human life;

New approaches to valuing natural resources of importance to human health; and

Upgrading the quality of natural resources through the application of biotechnology.

Natural Resources and Human Health: Plants of Medicinal and Nutritional Value - Proceedings of the first WHO Symposium on Plants and Health for All: Scientific Advancement, Kobe, Japan